As a transcription factor, it is capable of regulating the expression of several growth factor receptors (EGFR, HER2, TGFBR3, FGFR1, IGFR1 and VEGF).14,15 In order to investigate the role of TFAP2A in HNSCC cell proliferation in vitro, we used siRNA assay for gene silencing and measured growth rates for 5 days following therapy (Fig. 5a). Here, TGFBR3 is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.